Zacchio: Handing out the 2018 girls basketball season superlatives

Rye's Amanda Latkany (10) puts up a shot against Somers during the girls Section 1 semifinal action at the Westchester County Center in White Plains Feb. 27, 2018. Latkany hit the game winning shot as time expired and Rye won the game 50-49.(Photo: Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News)Buy Photo

From the drama surrounding whether or not there would be any postseason Section 1 basketball at the Westchester County Center, to watching Irvington and Ossining contend for state titles, there was no shortage of headlines during the 2017-18 girls basketball season.

Best game: Rye 50, Somers 49. The Garnets dethroned the defending Section 1 Class A champion in the section semifinals at the Westchester County Center on a buzzer-beater. From the story line, to the setting, to the finish, this game had everything you could possibly want in a playoff bout.

Rising star: Teaghan Flaherty, Rye. The sophomore proved to be an elite talent in her first full season of varsity, leading the Garnets to a gold ball and taking home Section 1 Class A tournament MVP honors in the process.

Best duo: Aubrey Griffin and Kailah Harris, Ossining. Both scored their 1,000th career points as juniors this year, both are player of the year contenders, both will earn high all-state honors, and both will eventually play Division I college ball. Having one of these players would revitalize a program, and the Pride have both.

Best quote: Lourdes fans were heard chanting, "We want Ossining!" during the Warriors' semifinal game on Feb. 28. When Ossining head coach Dan Ricci was asked about it, he quipped, “Be careful what you wish for.”

Ossining beat Lourdes for the Section 1 Class AA championship three days later.

Most entertaining coach: Dan Ricci, Ossining. People have actually asked me this quite a few times over the last year or two, and Ricci is the runaway winner. His witty banter to refs and players makes you laugh, and watching him fist-pump down the sideline is nothing short of a pleasure to see.